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Year of the Tiger meaning: What the Chinese New Year 2022 animal means and zodiac story explained

Considered the king of all beasts, the Chinese zodiac year of the tiger is thought to be a sign of new beginnings

Chinese New Year is upon us – and it is the year of the tiger.

Considered the king of all beasts, this year’s zodiac animal is considered a sign of new beginnings.

Here’s everything you need to know about the year of the tiger and the symbolism behind it.

When is Chinese New Year 2022?

Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday 1 February this year.

In China, celebrations last for 16 days, starting on the eve of the New Year and finishing on the 15th day, on which the Yuan Xiao Festival takes place. This is when people release thousands of paper lanterns into the sky.

The first week of festivities – from 1-7 February this year – is also a national public holiday in China.

Eddy Keming Chen, philosophy professor and faculty member of the Chinese Studies Program at University of California, San Diego, told USA Today: “In this day, for many Asian countries, Lunar New Year is perhaps the equivalent of Thanksgiving or Christmas.”

How is Chinese New Year celebrated?

While it is unclear exactly when new year celebrations began in China, it is believed to have originated as early as 2,300BC with Emperors Yao and Shun.

At first the holiday was marked between mid-winter and early spring, however it soon adopted the solar calendar and relied on the moon phase to lock down the date.

One of the most famous traditional greetings for Chinese New Year is the Cantonese kung hei fat choi, literally meaning: “Greetings, become rich.”

More on Chinese New Year

In many Chinese cities, from New Year’s Day, traditional performances can be seen such as dragon dances, lion dances, and imperial performances like an emperor’s wedding.

A great variety of traditional Chinese products are on offer, and rarely-seen Chinese snacks available in city parks and temple fairs.

Red decorations, red wrapped gifts, and red clothes are everywhere at Chinese New Year.

New Year’s Eve starts with a family dinner, which will almost always take place in the home rather than a restaurant, and reunite family members.

Dinner is followed be Shou Sui, which sees family members stay awake together during the night, launching crackling fireworks at midnight.

In the coming days, red envelopes with money is usually given by adults to children and it’s believed the packet will ward off evil and grant a long life.

The Yuan Xiao Festival, also known as the Lantern Festival, takes place on the 15th day, and sees people release paper lanterns into the skies.

What does the Chinese New Year animal mean?

This year’s zodiac sign is the Tiger, following from the Ox last year and the Rat in 2020.

Those born in the Year of the Tiger are supposedly kind, adventurous and enthusiastic, but also display aggressive, short-tempered and anxious traits.

“The tiger is commonly associated with something like bravery, courage and strength,” Chen said.

The tiger comes third in the Chinese zodiac, and is considered the king of all beasts.

The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches system is the basis for the Zodiac system.

It features one of five elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Metal and Earth), applied to Tiger years on a rotating basis. This year is a water Tiger, the first of its kind since 1962.

People born in a water tiger year are thought to be very loyal to the family and have strong relationships with others in their life.

Previous years of the tiger come in 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 and this year, 2022.

Xiaohua Yang, professor and director of the China Business Studies Initiative at the University of San Francisco, told USA TODAY that a tiger year is about new beginnings.

He said: “This nicely coincided with hopeful recovery from the pandemic crisis,” she said. “This actually is quite significant year in terms of the symbol.”

Astrologist, energy mentor and psychic Julie Chandler told Wales Online that those born in Tiger years should embrace this year.

She said: “Whichever new direction you’d like to go, this is the year the universe is ready to help you with all the support and focus at your fingertips.

“You could feel restless at the idea of the old stuff that no longer sits right – you’re ready to pounce this year and get out the gate with a bang.”

What is the Chinese zodiac story?

It is belived that the order of the animals comes from the story of the Great Race.

Jade Emperor, one of the most important gods in Chinese tradition, invited a series of animals to a race of which 12 species turned up – Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Hose, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

To reward their efforts for attending, years are named after them in the order in which they finished the race.

The story goes that the Rat rode on the back of the Ox as he crossed the river and shot off to the finish line to bag first place.

This meant the Ox, who had been due to win the race, had to settle for second place.

What do the other zodiac animals mean?

Rat

People born in the year of the Rat are thought to be intelligent, crafty and optimistic. However, they may also be rude, ruthless or nervous.

They’re born in: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032

Ox

Ox’s positive wualities include being honest, loyal and hard-working. But they can be stubborn and judgemental.

Ox’s are born in: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033

Rabbit

Those born in the year of the Rabbit are believed to be clever, compassionate and generous. Their negative traits include being over-cautious and vain.

You’re a Rabbit if your birth year falls on: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035

Dragon

The fifth place in the Great Race was the Dragon thought to be brave, charismatic and a natural leader. They can be seen as the most desirable sign.

Their supposed lack of willpower, inflexibility and stubbornness can be seen as their weaknesses.

Dragon’s are born in 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036

Snake

The Snake’s positive qualities are being wise, wympathetic and intuitive. It is also associated with being jealous, vain and materialistic.

Half-way through the Zodiac signs are those born in 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037

Horse

Qualities of the Horse include honesty, being talented and a dream-chaser. However, they can be overconfident, short-tempered and impatient at times.

They are born in: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038

Goat/Sheep

Goats or Sheep are considered to be resilient, strong and compassionate but also indecisive, anxious and disorganised.

A goat or sheep is born in 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039

Traditional Chinese lion dancers perform during celebrations for the upcoming Lunar New Year, at Lhong 1919 warehouse in Bangkok on January 19, 2022. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)
The Lunar New Year rotates a different Zodiac animal each year (Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP)

Monkey

The Year of the Monkey people are believed to be charming, intelligent and confident. Their bad qualities are being impatient, arrogant and self-centred.

The charming Zodiac animal is born in 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040

Rooster

Roosters are supposedly decisive, capable and honest. They can be incentive, controlling and critical of others sometimes.

Five years ago was the last year of the Rooster and the other years include 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040

Dog

Those born in the Year of the Dog are loyal, brave and responsible. The negative attributes associated with them is being too sensitive, stubborn and cynical.

Second to last of the Chinese animal’s are born in 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042

Pig

The pig finished in last place in the old folk’s tale but they have good qualities like being intelligent, creative and compassionate. Their weaknesses can be being insecure, gullible and emotional.

Pig’s are born in 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043

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